evolutionary and social contexts for compassion
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Evolutionary and Social Contexts for Compassion. Paul Gilbert PhD, FBPsS, OBE Mental Health Research Unit , Kingsway Hospital Derby [email protected] www.compassionatemind.co.uk www.compassionatewellbeing.com. Compassion begins with a reality check Insight builds wisdom. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Evolved Brian - Social Mind: Implications for Cognitive Therapy Paul Gilbert FBPsS Mental Health Research Unit Kingsway Hospital Derby
Evolutionary and Social Contexts for Compassion
Paul Gilbert PhD, FBPsS, OBE Mental Health Research Unit, Kingsway Hospital Derby [email protected]
www.compassionatemind.co.ukwww.compassionatewellbeing.com
Compassion begins with a reality checkInsight builds wisdomWe are gene-built - with evolved brains designed to struggle to survive, to want, grasp and avoid pain
We are all born, grow, decay and die - and are susceptible to many diseases and injuries life with tragedy pain and suffering
We are socially shaped from our gene expressions, to our sense of self and values
Not our fault but how to choose to train the mind (powerful de-shame process)
22Compassion: Challenges of Our Evolved Brainand the Distressed Mind
33Sources of behaviour
EmotionsFear, Anxiety, Anger, Lust, JoySocial Motives Closeness, Belonging, Sex, Status, RespectOld BrainOld Brain PsychologiesSources of behaviour
New BrainImagination, Planning, Anticipation Rumination, ReflectionPurposeful focusing of the mindIntegrationSymbol userSelf IdentityNew Brian AbilitiesGetting SmartSources of behaviour
Old Brain: Emotions, Motives, Relationship Seeking-CreatingArchetypalNew Brain: Imagination, Planning, Rumination, IntegrationInteraction of old and new psychologiesGlitches
TrThinking brain can cause serious problems in using old affect and motive systems (trade off)Built in Biases Compassion insights
Biased learning e.g., fear of snakes not electricityBiases can be implicit (non-conscious) or explicit (Conscious)
Self-focusedKin preferences (nepotism)In-group preferences (tribalism)
A mind that does not know itselfDangerous, Cruel and Crazy Mind?Compassion and cruelty(Gilbert 2005)To understand compassion requires us to understand how compassion gets turned on and off, people can literally disassociate from pain and suffering
This is no ones fault but it is linked to how the brain works in certain contexts but it carries huge implications and responsibilities for how we build compassionate societies.
Mental HealthLife risk of disorder %MenWomenAny disorder48.747.30Depression14.723. 9Anxiety19.230.5
Alcohol 20.18.2
Source: National Comorbidity studyHigh variability with type of community
Leading causes of World DALYs, est. 2020 Murray and Lopez (W.H.O.), Science 274:741, 1996The disability-adjusted life year is an indicator of the time lived with a disability and the time lost due to premature mortality
Leading DALYs for Women ages 14-45 in Developed CountriesThe Social Contexts
Evolutionary ProcessCulture can render an adaptive phenotype highly maladaptive, e.g. food seeking
Human evolved in times of scarcityAdapted for the see food and eat it diet Adapted for energy conservationNot adapted for quick/internal limitation
Modern Culture: High available cheap and aesthetically enhanced taste and textured food
OBESITY, DIABETES, HEART DISEASEScience of compassion must begin with an understanding of
The complex and often chaotic nature of the human mind
The components that create a compassionate mind
How to cultivate a compassionate mind
What undermines a compassionate mindMESSAGE:
MOTIVES ORGANISE THE MIND
1818Sources of behaviour
Old Brain: Emotions, Motives, Relationship Seeking-CreatingCOMPASSIONNew Brain: Imagination, Planning, Rumination, IntegrationNeed compassion for a very tricky brainMindful BrainSources of behaviour
Old Brain: Emotions, Motives, Relationship Seeking-CreatingCompetitiveNew Brain: Imagination, Planning, Rumination, IntegrationNeed compassion for a very tricky brainMindful BrainThe Em0tions
Understanding our Motives and EmotionsMotives evolved because they help animals to survive and leave genes behind
Emotions guide us to our goals and respond if we are succeeding or threatened
There are three types of emotion regulation
Those that focus on threat and self-protectionThose that focus on doing and achievingThose that focus on contentment and feeling safe
22Types of Affect Regulator SystemsIncentive/resource- focusedWanting, pursuing, achieving ActivatingNon-wanting/Affiliative focused
Safeness-kindness
SoothingThreat-focused
Protection andSafety-seekingActivating/inhibitingAnger, anxiety, disgustDrive, excite, vitalityContent, safe, connected23Threat systems and phenotypesEarly stress changesGene expression and Neuro-developmentSocial contextsoffer different environments thataddress, ignore or create stress
Threat-focused
Protection andSafety-seekingActivating/inhibitingAnger, anxiety, disgust24Types of Affect Regulator SystemsIncentive/resource- focusedWanting, pursuing, achieving ActivatingNon-wanting/Affiliative focused
Safeness-kindness
SoothingThreat-focused
Protection andSafety-seekingActivating/inhibitingAnger, anxiety, disgustDrive, excite, vitalityContent, safe, connected25Lottery $ $ $Safeness, Affiliation and affect regulation
Types of Affect Regulator SystemsIncentive/resource- focusedWanting, pursuing, achieving ActivatingNon-wanting/Affiliative focused
Safeness-kindness
SoothingThreat-focused
Protection andSafety-seekingActivating/inhibitingAnger, anxiety, disgustDrive, excite, vitalityContent, safe, connected29
Between self and othersThreatAffiliative/ SoothingCalms120 Million year evolving system to regulate threatSelf-to selfSelf to self30
Internal Threat and SoothingThreatAffiliative/ SoothingCalmsInternal representations of helpful others and sources of comfortEmotional memories of soothingNeurophysiological networksSelf-affiliation experiences a lovable self31
Internal Threat and More threatThreatAffiliative/ SoothingCalmsOthers are threats or alarmingEmotional memories of no soothingNeurophysiological networksNo self-affiliation experiences a unlovable self32Being cared for and PhysiologyThe evolution of caring brings major changes in physiological regulation Relationships are physiological regulators
Gene expression Stress reactivityImmune system functionFrontal cortexIllness and recoveryCore valuesSelf-identitiesCompassion and empathysoHumans function best (frontal cortex, stress hormones, immune systems and cardiovascular) when they are
loving affiliative and caring (rather than hating)
Feel loved and valued (rather than unloved and de-valued)
Self and others Self and selfThreatAffiliative/ SoothingShame120 Million year evolving systems to regulate threatSocial relationships are the most important sources of meaning, self regulation and learning Self-to self35Compassion solutions to the reality of sufferingAncient wisdom: Compassion is the road to happiness (most spiritual traditions)
Evolution: Evolution has made our brains highly sensitive to external and internal kindness
Neuroscience: Specific brain areas are focused on detecting and responding to kindness and compassion
Social and developmental Psychology: History of affiliation affects brain maturation, emotion regulation, pro-social behaviour and sense of self36Compassionand CaringThe Two Psychologies of CompassionCompassion can be defined in many ways: As a sensitivity to the suffering of self and others with a deep commitment to try to relieve and prevent it
Two different Psychologies To approach, understand and (how to) engage with suffering To work/study to alleviate and prevent suffering to nurture
Each more complex that might at first seem3838Compassion as Flow Different practices for each
Other SelfSelfOtherSelf Self
Evidence that intentionally practicing each of these can have impacts on mental states and social behaviour3939Compassion Focused Therapy: and Social Mentality TheoryCaring/HelpGiving
Specific Competenciese.g., attention empathy
Facilitators vs InhibitorsCare/Help Seeking/Receiving
Specific Competencies e.g., openness responsive
Facilitators vs Inhibitors
Not just interested in what compassion is but how it is experienced as a recipient experienced are being cared aboutThe Competencies of Compassion
Engagement and AlleviationCompassionate Mind - EngagementCare for well-beingSensitivitySympathyDistress toleranceEmpathyNon-JudgementCompassionATTRIBUTESWarmthWarmthWarmthWarmth4242Compassionate Mind - AlleviationImageryAttentionReasoningFeelingBehaviourSensoryCare for well-beingSensitivitySympathyDistress toleranceEmpathyNon-JudgementCompassionATTRIBUTESSKILLS -TRAININGWarmthWarmthWarmthWarmth4343CULTIVATIONPractice of imagining compassion for others produces changes in frontal cortex and immune system (Lutz et al., 2009)
Loving kindness meditation (compassion directed to self, then others, then strangers) increases positive emotions, mindfulness, feelings of purpose in life and social support and decreases illness symptoms (Frederickson et al., 2008, JPSP)
Compassion self-goals in contrast to self-image goals are associated with feelings of connectedness and well-being (Crocker, J & Canevello (2008 JPSP) voluntarily helping others boost positive emotions
Compassionate mind training reduces shame and self-criticism in chronic depressed patients (Gilbert & Proctor, 2006, CPP),4444Build the Compassionate SelfMethod acting techniques to pull on inner feeling and memories of a character enter into the role but why do itTrain in Wisdom Evolved nature of mind and social construction to the selfSense of calm mindful inner authority body postures breathing, grounding and attention courage to engageCommitment to compassionate focus and actionActual and imagery practices.Compassion ProcessGiving/doingMindful Acts of kindnessEngagement with the feared
Receiving/soothingSBR/CalmGrounding/stabilityValidationGratitude appreciationThreatMindful awarenessTriggersIn the bodyRuminationLabellingCompassionate Self46Compassion as Ascent or Decent?Compassion is not getting rid of the difficult contents of the mind but mindfully engaging with them (e.g., rage, fear prejudice) going into, not away from
Compassion is becoming mindful and then being able to choose because it is not blaming but containing
Compassion as Flow Different practices for each
Other SelfSelfOtherSelf Self
Evidence that intentionally practicing each of these can have impacts on mental states and social behaviour4848Data From Group Study
49Data From Group Study
50ReflectionsI would just like to tell you all here today what (CMT) means to me. It seemed to awaken a part of my brain that I was not aware existed.The feeling of only ever having compassion for other people and never ever contemplating having any for myself.Suddenly realising that its always been there, just that I have never knew how to use it towards myself.
It was such a beautiful, calming feeling to know it was Ok to feel like this towards myself without feeling guilty or bad about it.Being able to draw on this when I was frightened and confused, to calm myself down and to put things in prospective and say to myself ITS OK TO FEEL LIKE THIS. 51ReflectionsHaving compassion for myself means I feel so much more at peace with myself. Knowing that it is a normal way of life to have compassion for myself and its not an abnormal way of thinking, but a very healthy way of thinking. It felt like I was training my mind to switch to this mode when I start to feel bad about myself or life situations were starting to get on top of me.
What is striking about this, and what other participants thought, was how much they had (previously) felt that being self-compassionate and empathic to ones distress was a self-indulgence or weakness and definitely not something to cultivate. 52Sources of behaviour
Old Brain: Emotions, Motives, Relationship Seeking-CreatingCOMPASSIONNew Brain: Imagination, Planning, Rumination, IntegrationNeed compassion for a very tricky brainMindful BrainSources of behaviour
Old Brain: Emotions, Motives, Relationship Seeking-CreatingCompetitiveNew Brain: Imagination, Planning, Rumination, IntegrationNeed compassion for a very tricky brainMindful BrainConclusionHumans are capable of wonderful things, but also terrible things. Very mixed mind many seeds
Our minds are really a mixed range of potential motives, ways of thinking and behaving and we easily dissociate one state of mind from another
By improving our understanding of the nature of compassion, its facilitators and inhibitors, both as a giver and receiver, we may be better placed to cultivate the good in us. This is our responsiblity
How to bring this about?55Some ReferencesGilbert, P (2009). The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach to the Challenge of Life. London: Constable & Robinson.Gilbert, P. (2010) Compassion Focused Therapy: The CBT Distinctive Features Series. London: Routledge.Gilbert, P & Choden. (2013). Mindful Compassion. London: Constable Robinson
See also the Compassionate Mind Series by New harbinger With other author books on anxiety (Tirch), anger (Kolts), trauma (Lee), eating (Goss) and othersChart50.50.61.11.11.61.922.32.42.62.72.83.13.23.24.24.55.25.75.9
Chart70.20.60.711.822.52.62.73.63.63.8556.519.5
Percent of totalLeading DALYs for Women ages 14-45 in Developed Countries
Chart10.50.61.11.11.61.922.32.42.62.72.83.13.23.24.24.55.25.75.9
Chart20.50.61.11.11.61.922.32.42.62.72.83.13.23.24.24.55.25.75.9
Percent of total
Sheet1AnaemiaMalnutritionMeaslesMalariaFallsLung cancerSelf injuriesCongenitalViolencePerinatalHIVDiarrheaWarTBPneumoniaCOPDStrokeCar accidentsDepressionHeart disease0.50.61.11.11.61.922.32.42.62.72.83.13.23.24.24.55.25.75.9TBMaternal sepsisAbortionWarIron deficiency anaemiaObstructed LaborRheumatoid arthritisSelf-inflicted injuriesChlamydiaAlcohol useOsteoarthritisOCDTraffic accidentsBipolar disorderSchizophreniaUnipolar depression0.20.60.711.822.52.62.73.63.63.8556.519.5
Sheet2
Sheet3
Chart50.50.61.11.11.61.922.32.42.62.72.83.13.23.24.24.55.25.75.9
Chart70.20.60.711.822.52.62.73.63.63.8556.519.5
Percent of totalAnaemiaSelf injuriesDepression
Chart10.50.61.11.11.61.922.32.42.62.72.83.13.23.24.24.55.25.75.9
Chart20.50.61.11.11.61.922.32.42.62.72.83.13.23.24.24.55.25.75.9
Sheet1AnaemiaMalnutritionMeaslesMalariaFallsLung cancerSelf injuriesCongenitalViolencePerinatalHIVDiarrheaWarTBPneumoniaCOPDStrokeCar accidentsDepressionHeart disease0.50.61.11.11.61.922.32.42.62.72.83.13.23.24.24.55.25.75.9TBMaternal sepsisAbortionWarIron deficiency anaemiaObstructed LaborRheumatoid arthritisSelf-inflicted injuriesChlamydiaAlcohol useOsteoarthritisOCDTraffic accidentsBipolar disorderSchizophreniaUnipolar depression0.20.60.711.822.52.62.73.63.63.8556.519.5
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Sheet3
Chart254.410.218.956.3
BeforeAfterScalePre and Post Compassionate Mind Training18.854.256.4
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BeforeAfterScalePre and Post Compassionate Mind Training53.83(8.86)17.67(16.31)9.5(5.65)57.33(12.26)
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Chart114.676.8310.334.3
BeforeAfterSubscaleScoreHADS10.33(2.67)14.67(3.78)4.3(2.73)6.83(2.93)
HADSAnxietyDepression111093116124119135117137110891167Total88621275321174221AnxietyDepression5261Before14.6710.337275After6.834.392874126
HADS0000
BeforeAfterSubscaleScoreHADS10.33(2.67)14.67(3.78)4.3(2.73)6.83(2.93)
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Functions&Forms000000
BeforeAfterScoreForms of Self-to-Self Relating6.17(6.40)15.17(3.76)31.33(5.16)19.83(8.21)5.67(5.40)14.5(7.01)
OAS, SUB B, SOC COMP0000
BeforeAfterScoreFunctions of Self-to-Self Relating17.5(8.62)28(15.79)9.6(8.45)21.67(11.74)
Social comparisonSubmissive Behaviouroas112411581156312331453168411641464165512751475138714571367140917491249124209256291122612561243423842394249529752115223927692179222726572377233325032203248352180218Social comparisonSubmissive BehaviourOthers as ShamersBefore34.83Before42.67Before48.5After58.67After30After36.33
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BeforeAfterScoreSocial Comparison34.83(21.50)58.67(26.00)
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BeforeAfterScoreSubmissive Behaviour42.67(11.52)30(16.95)
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BeforeAfterScoreOthers as Shamer48.5(17.27)36.33(12.13)
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Forms of Self-to-Self Relating Scores Pre and Post Compassionate Mind Training
Sheet3
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Before
After
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Functions of Self-to-Sefl Relating Scores Pre and Post Compassionate Mind Training
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After58.67After30After36.33
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Before
After
Score
Social Comparison Scores Pre and post Compassionate Mind Training
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Score
Submissive Behaviour Scores Pre and Post Compassionate Mind Training
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